Self cooling stretchable electrical circuit having a conduit forming an electrical component and containing electrically conductive liquid

Abstract

Self-cooling stretchable electrical circuits with a conduit forming an electrical component and containing electrically conductive liquid are disclosed. They are formed of a platform made of a stretchable material. At least one fluid conduit is formed in the platform and the conduit is formed into an electrical component and filled with the electrically conductive liquid metal. A portion of the conduit is positioned adjacent a heat sink while a pump circulates the liquid through the conduit wherein the metal is cooled at the heat sink.

We claim: 
     
       1. A self-cooling stretchable electrical circuit comprising:
 a stretchable platform, 
 at least one fluid conduit formed in said stretchable platform, said at least one fluid conduit forming an electrical component and containing an electrically conductive liquid, 
 electrical contacts in said at least one fluid conduit which allow electricity to flow through the electrically conductive liquid as an electrical circuit, 
 a heat sink, wherein at least a portion of said at least one fluid conduit is positioned adjacent said heat sink, and 
 a pump which circulates said electrically conductive liquid through said at least one fluid conduit. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said electrical component comprises at least one coil. 
     
     
       3. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said electrical component comprises an inductor, capacitor, resistor, transformer, or antenna. 
     
     
       4. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said stretchable platform is formed of an elastic or stretchable material. 
     
     
       5. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said elastic or stretchable material comprises a polymer or plastic. 
     
     
       6. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said polymer comprises a urethane or silicone polymer. 
     
     
       7. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said elastic or stretchable material comprises a rubber or latex. 
     
     
       8. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said stretchable platform is configured for attachment to skin or clothing. 
     
     
       9. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive liquid comprising a liquid metal or an electrolytic or ionic solution. 
     
     
       10. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said liquid metal comprises mercury, gallium indium, gallium alloy, or an eutectic alloy of gallium, indium and tin. 
     
     
       11. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said electrolytic or ionic solution comprises an aqueous salt solution. 
     
     
       12. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pump forms, includes or otherwise incorporates the heat sink. 
     
     
       13. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pump comprises a diaphragm which applies pressure to one end of said conduit. 
     
     
       14. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said diaphragm is pneumatically actuated. 
     
     
       15. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pump comprises a magnetohydrodynamic pump. 
     
     
       16. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pump circulates electrical drops of said liquid metal through said conduit. 
     
     
       17. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flow rate of the pump is adjustably controlled. 
     
     
       18. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said stretchable platform material itself forms and defines the at least one conduit. 
     
     
       19. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said stretchable is formed of multiple pieces having at least one channel, recess, or void therein, which when the pieces are joined together to form the platform, the at least one channel, recess, or void internally forms the at least one conduit. 
     
     
       20. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises fins. 
     
     
       21. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical component comprises the at least one fluid conduit. 
     
     
       22. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive liquid in the at least one fluid conduit makes the electrical component functionally operational irrespective of cooling. 
     
     
       23. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one segment of the at least one fluid conduit has the physical shape or geometry needed to make the electrical component functionally operational. 
     
     
       24. The electrical circuit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein heat is transferred from the electrical component to the heat sink by circulation of the electrically conductive liquid.